German Oral Health Foundation
Pulmonology
Your chance for healthier lungs and healthier airways
At the German Oral Health Foundation (DMS), we want to accompany you on your journey to a healthier, fitter life. Personalised prevention using functional biomarkers such as aMMP-8 plays a key role in this. Inflammation in the mouth can impair lung function, promote infections and worsen the course of many chronic lung diseases. So have your aMMP-8 level tested now and take preventive action – at your specialist practice or at any OralFitness® dental centre.
The aMMP-8 saliva screening
The aMMP-8 saliva screening measures the destruction of the extracellular matrix¹ and collagenolysis² in real time. Collagen is the most common structural protein in the human body. It strengthens the oral immune barrier by giving the oral mucosa structure and stability, thus making it more difficult for pathogens to penetrate. Damage to the oral mucosa allows inflammation and pathogens to enter the bloodstream, promoting systemic diseases. This is why prevention is so effective.
¹ Network of proteins and sugar molecules between cells that gives tissue support, structure and stability.
² Breakdown of collagen fibres
³ This content is taken from Consensus Paper 25/2026 of the Health Senate of the DMS
Inflammation in the mouth leads to the release of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and MMPs, which also promote inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. People with asthma, COPD or pulmonary fibrosis, among others, benefit from inflammation-free oral flora, as oral inflammation can increase bronchial irritability.
What are the benefits of the aMMP-8 test in pulmonology?
When should the test be performed?
- in COPD or asthma, to detect silent sources of inflammation
- in cases of frequent respiratory tract infections or insufficient response to inhaled steroids
- in pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung diseases, to reduce avoidable triggers
- prior to pulmonary rehabilitation or operations (e.g. transplantation) for infection prophylaxis
- with increased inflammatory activity (CRP, IL-6) without a clear cause
- in ventilated patients or those with swallowing disorders, in order to detect oral inflammation and bacterial colonisation at an early stage
How does the test work?
The aMMP-8 test is quick, painless and does not require a blood sample. It is simply a saliva test – convenient and simple, carried out at the specialist's surgery. If the results are abnormal, a referral to a dentist is recommended. The test opens up new perspectives for interdisciplinary, personalised inflammatory medicine.
Our recommendation for you
Talk to your dentist or specialist. We are happy to provide your dental practice with an aMMP-8 test free of charge*. If you are interested, please register here, tell us the name of your dental practice, and we will send the test directly to your dentist:
Visit one of our certified practices, which you can find in our practice finder: